SERDANG - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is ranked the 15th world's best and the first in the country in the 'QS Top 50 under 50' ranking this year organised by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

Up two places from the 17th position last year, UPM repeated its achievement as the best university under 50 years old in Malaysia since last year.

UPM is also ranked as the seventh best university in Asia and the second best in ASEAN.

Other universities that made into the list include Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (16th), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (21), Universiti Sains Malaysia (23), Petronas University of Technology (grouped in the 91-100), Universiti Utara Malaysia and International Islamic University of Malaysia (101-150).

The 'QS Top 50 under 50' rating applied the same six indicators as in the recent QS World University Ranking which are Academic Reputation (40%), Employer Reputation (10%), Student to Faculty Ratio (20%), Citations per Faculty (20%), International Faculty (5%) and International Students (5%).

UPM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datin Paduka Dr Aini Ideris said that as a university with an international reputation, QS ranking directly helps to assess UPM’s visibility level particularly in the aspects of teaching and learning, research and innovation.

On June 8, UPM strengthened its position after being ranked as the 229th best university in the world, 49th in Asia and the fourth in ASEAN in the QS World University Rankings 2017/2018 as it made the highest jump among all universities in Malaysia by 182 spots since 2013/2014.